Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/06/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I usually don't do this but sinced you begged :^) I've been doing a lot of editing (mine and other peoples work) over the past year so I'll put on my photo editors hat again. ...A photo editor is a contankerous creature who talks more about the overall package than quality of individual pictures while not ever been on the location or knowing the technical or physical limitation facing the photographer. Thbey also have a bad habit of "pre-visualizing" what it is they think SHOULD be the picture you bring back. I used to work for a photo editor who, on major events, would sit in the office/hotel watching the TV coverage and then ask for specific pictures he saw on the TV when we all got back from the field. AAARRGGGHHHH!!!! Not being there and not knowing what equipment you carry I will speak as a photo editor who was brought these pictures and offer the following.... You have picked a difficult subject to shoot black & white. Without colour it means you have to work twice as hard on composition and light ...and the energy of the people. ...and, overall, you did a good job. As a "photo-essay" or event coverage its pretty good. My only gripe would be all the pictures are taken from the same distance. I:E: I would like to see a closer shot of the guys working in the basket (such as frame 15). Hands, faces.... You already have the wider shot so move in, cut most of the ballon out and lets see the detail of what they are doing. If you had been sent to the event and only had to get one picture, you did well. #6 is your best shot and I would have no problem running this in a good newspaper or magazine. Over all, the individual pictures good but if you varied your composition you would get a greater variety of images which would better tell the story of the day. The number #1 RULE is always "GET CLOSER". And it's the number one rule because it's the hardest one to do ...even for pros. If I was editing for a newspaper or magazine spread I would keep 2,3, 7, 12, 16 and send you back for more specific and detailed shots. To fill out this "story" I'd like to see a shot of a group of balloons in the sky (one just launched with others in the sky in the background ...you came close to the idea with frame #7) and I would like to see some closer shots of the action in the basket as the balloon launches... The movement of hands, signs of "action" and expressions on faces. So its not a case of the pictures being bad, you do have good pictures there, it more a case of a greater variety and compositions to tell a more complete story. ...good shoot. Greg Locke St. John's, Newfoundland www.greglocke.com ----JUST RELEASED------- NEWFOUNDLAND ...journey into a lost nation by Greg Locke and Michael Crummey McClelland and Stewart ISBN # 0-7710-6142-0 > -----Original Message----- > From: lug-bounces+locke=straylight.ca@leica-users.org > [mailto:lug-bounces+locke=straylight.ca@leica-users.org] On > Behalf Of Eric > Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2004 10:37 AM > To: lug@leica-users.org > Subject: [Leica] hot air balloons > > http://canid.com/hot_air_balloons/thumbs.html > > Xtol 1:3. 1-5 are Fuji SS 100. 6-17 are Neopan 400. > > 17 pictures are probably about 11 too many of balloons. :) > Which ones would you toss? (And saying to toss them all > won't hurt my feelings. I have a thick skin. I promise. > Just please tell my why you'd axe them all.)